Widener picks TCNJ's Acosta to succeed Collins

Widener did not have to look far for its new football coach, as
it picked Bobby Acosta to lead the Pride, which is coming off a
season in which it advanced to the quarterfinals.

Acosta arrives after five seasons at The College of New Jersey,
where he was the offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach and
tight ends coach. He was responsible for molding the offense,
served as the team's academic advisor, was its strength and
conditioning coach and oversaw video editing.

Bobby Acosta

"We are impressed with Bobby Acosta's accomplishments both on
and off of the football field," said Widener president James
T. Harris III. "His role as academic advisor, his community
outreach experience, and his track record of developing the
leadership skills of student athletes aligns perfectly with
the Widener mission. He also has an appetite for winning football
games, which is important to our football tradition."

"I'm very excited," said Acosta. "As soon as I heard
Widener opened up, I was attracted to the position. We have
tremendous tradition and we can attract the best of players in the
area. When I talked to Jack (Shafer, director of athletics), I told
him that nothing was broken. My main goal is to play for
championships and to attract top-quality student athletes. I'm very
excited for the opportunity."

The Lions' offense flourished under Acosta, especially in 2011,
when it went 7-3 and recorded a 27-21 win over Montclair State.
That squad ended the season averaging 185.5 passing yards per game,
176.7 rushing yards per contest and 24.6 points per game.

Acosta's work at TCNJ was not limited to football. He also
helped secure corporate sponsorships for the athletics department,
was a site liaison at many home events, worked with the alumni
affairs office on numerous events, served as facility coordinator
for the fitness center, was a campus disciplinary board member and
coordinator of the school's community outreach program that
included the Special Olympics.

Acosta also spent two seasons as the tight ends coach with
Delaware from 2007-08 as part of a staff that helped develop Super
Bowl quarterback Joe Flacco. He was also the academic advisor for
the team which played for the 2007 NCAA Division I-AA national
championship and was selected as the ECAC Team of the Year.

Acosta has worked in preseason camp with the Cleveland Browns,
had a coaching internship with the New York Jets and has worked
camps with both the Jets and Lafayette. Acosta also served as the
defensive backs coach at Rowan and the head coach at both Monmouth
Regional High School and Marlboro High School.

Acosta's strong offensive mind-set will fit right in with the
Pride. Widener (11-1, 8-0 MAC) last
season was fifth in the country with 45.83 points per game, 10th
with 334.42 passing yards per contest and 20th with 467.83 yards of
total offense per game.

Widener last year won its record 19th Middle Atlantic Conference
title, advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since
2001, started 11-0 for just the fourth time in school history and
appeared in postseason for the 18th year. Eight players were named
first team All-MAC, two were picked second team all-league and
three were named honorable mention.

Acosta replaces Isaac Collins, who left to become head coach at
Seton Hill University, a Division II school in Pennsylvania.